Filipino conjoined twins successfully separated after surgery in Saudi Arabia

Filipino conjoined twins Klea Ann and Maurice Ann Misa have been successfully separated following a rare and high-risk surgery in Saudi Arabia, giving them a chance at living independent lives.

The operation, performed on April 23 at King Abdullah Specialized Children's Hospital in Riyadh, was described by doctors as one of the most complex cases globally, with significant risks due to the twins being joined at the head.

The twins shared critical brain structures, including cerebral veins and intertwined brain tissue—factors that made the surgery particularly challenging.

Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, who led the medical team, said the case involved multiple life-threatening complications, including heart and kidney issues affecting one of the twins.

Doctors had earlier estimated a 50% risk of mortality and up to a 60% chance of severe neurological complications, underscoring the difficulty of the procedure.

Hours-long operation

The surgery was carried out in multiple stages by a team of around 30 specialists from various fields, including neurosurgery, anesthesia, and intensive care.

After nearly 13 hours of continuous work, the team successfully completed the separation—marking a significant milestone for the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program.

The program has handled 157 cases from 28 countries since 1990, with this case recorded as its 70th successful separation procedure.

The twins had been in Saudi Arabia since May 2025, undergoing extensive examinations and consultations before doctors approved the operation. 

Medical teams conducted detailed imaging and coordinated with international experts to assess the risks and determine the surgical plan.

'Chance at independent life'

Following the procedure, the twins' mother expressed relief and joy, saying the successful operation offers her daughters a future they previously could not have imagined.

The case highlights both the advances in complex pediatric surgery and the risks involved in separating craniopagus twins—one of the rarest and most difficult forms of conjoinment.

Doctors are expected to continue closely monitoring the twins' recovery, with long-term outcomes depending on how they respond in the days and weeks after surgery.

Set to follow in the footsteps of Klea Ann and Maurice Ann are Olivia and Gianna Manuel, who will become the fourth Filipino conjoined twins to undergo separation surgery in Saudi Arabia under the Kingdom's humanitarian program.

Ann and Mae Manzo were the first beneficiaries in 2004, followed two decades later by Akhizah and Ayeesha Yusoph of Davao del Norte in 2024. 

The Yusoph twins were one year and four months old and shared a liver when they were fetched for the operation. — VDV, GMA News